Weather across the nation: 10/27/12

Strong tropical storm force winds continued to impact the Bahamas and much of the southeastern Atlantic coast to the North Carolina coast on Saturday as Hurricane Sandy became positioned about 335 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C. Sandy continued its trek toward the northeast at around 11 mph with maximum sustained winds of near 75 mph and higher gusts through the afternoon.

In addition to strong wind, the outer bands of Sandy kicked up heavy rainfall along the coastal areas of the Carolinas, and dangerous surf conditions in the aforementioned areas.

Meanwhile, a cold front from the Midwest and the southern Plains traveled eastward and became nearly stationary across the Lower Great Lakes, Appalachian Mountains, and the northeastern Gulf Coast. Showers developed along and behind the northern third of this front in the Lower Great Lakes and the eastern Ohio Valley.

Behind this activity, a cold airmass from the north flowed into the Northern Plains and allowed daytime temperatures to reach into the 30s and 40s. Daytime temperatures at and below the freezing mark support light snow showers in North Dakota and eastern Montana.

Farther west, rain continued in the Pacific Northwest as another frontal disturbance from the Pacific Ocean approached the region.

ON THIS DATE....... Talk about a rude awakening. On this date in 1972, a Crestview, Fla., couple were awakened by rain beating down on them. It turns out that a tornado had just ripped off the roof of their house, leaving them exposed to the elements. Startled, they ran out of the house moments before the house was blown away.